Kazakhstan to Spotlight Energy Transition at Regional Ecological Summit 2026
With the Regional Ecological Summit (RES) 2026 scheduled for April 22–24, Kazakhstan is set to highlight its progress and priorities in the energy transition, as approximately 1,500 delegates from governments, international organizations, business, and academia convene in partnership with the United Nations to address regional climate and environmental challenges.
A key panel session, organized by the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, will focus on Central Asia’s energy transition. Discussions will center on the gradual shift toward renewable energy sources as a critical tool for enhancing energy security and advancing sustainable development in line with carbon neutrality objectives.
Kazakhstan’s renewable energy sector continues to demonstrate steady growth. Currently, 162 facilities with a combined capacity of 3.5 gigawatts (GW) are in operation. By the end of 2025, the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix is projected to reach 7%. Over the past year, nine new facilities with a total capacity of 503 megawatts (MW) were commissioned, while electricity generation from renewable sources reached 8.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), exceeding planned levels by 19.4%, according to the ministry’s press service on April 7.
In 2026, the ministry aims to further increase renewable energy generation to 8.8 billion kWh. Plans include the commissioning of 10 new projects with a total capacity of 245 MW, comprising four wind, five solar, and one hydroelectric power plant. Key policy measures include the adoption of legislation on alternative energy sources and the update of the Hydrogen Energy Development Concept through 2040. Competitive auctions will remain a primary mechanism for attracting investment, with 6.7 GW of capacity scheduled for development between 2024 and 2027.
Photo credit: ey.com
